Octavia Spencer and ‘Ted Lasso’ Star Hannah Waddingham to Co-Star in New Prime Video Action Series

Octavia Spencer and 'Ted Lasso' Star Hannah Waddingham to Co-Star in New Prime Video Action Series

Prime Video has tapped Octavia Spencer (Hidden Figures) and Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso, Game of Thrones) to co-star in an untitled television series. 

The project emerged as an original pitch from series creator and executive producer Tessa Coates. We know this will be an eight-episode series top lined with Spencer and Waddingham as two close friends, where one of them is hiding a secret that she is an assassin. 

Based on the official synopsis:

The series follows two best friends, Judith (Waddingham) and Debbie (Spencer), who know everything about each other … well, almost everything. Judith has been living a double life that Debbie knows nothing about: she is a highly trained assassin. When a hit goes horribly wrong, Judith and Debbie must go on the run together and work to repair their broken friendship—all while being targeted by a mysterious enemy who wants them dead. And only together, can they solve this layered mystery.

The premise peaked Spencer’s interest, and she said “I was in as soon as I heard Tessa’s stunning pitch,” she said. “To be able to dive into a role like Debbie is rare, and working with Hannah to bring this unique friendship to life is a dream. We knew we had something special with Skydance and Double Dream, and now that we have a home at Amazon, our vision has become a reality.”

Waddingham added she was pretty excited to work with Spencer and Coates team.

“I’m not gonna lie, a few expletives fell out of my face at the prospect of working with the magnificent Ms. Spencer, Tessa Coates’ hugely energetic, exhilarating script, Skydance and Double Dream,” she said. “To then see the immediate excited response for a mighty beast like Amazon! It’s all just incredibly exciting, and I can’t wait to get our collective teeth into it!”

The series is the first from Skydance’s high profile first-look deal with Orit Entertainment, founded by Spencer. Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon MGM Studios and Matt Thunell, president of Skydance Television added their positive reinforcement for the new series, with Salke quoted as saying that Amazon MGM Studios were “blown away” and called it “one-of-a-kind comedy.”

“Tessa’s pitch delivered it all—fantastically original characters, a great story, the amazing creative talents of Octavia and Hannah and so much fun,” Salke said. “We are over the moon to work with them all plus the dream teams at Skydance, Double Dream, and Orit Entertainment.”

“The process of developing this series has been one of the most joyous of our careers, starting with the inimitable Tessa Coates. Tessa’s voice and vision lured our incredible producers, Barbara and Andy Muschietti, who were instrumental in developing the project, as well as the dream casting of Octavia Spencer and Hannah Waddingham,” added Thunell. “We are so proud to be making this show with Amazon; this team has created a series that will make audiences around the world laugh, cry, and cheer.”

Both Spencer and Waddingham will serve as executive producers alongside Coates, Thunell and the Muschettis. Also executive producing, includes Brian Clisham, Orit Entertainment’s Stephanie Kluft, Double Dream’s Irene Yeung, David Ellison and Dana Goldberg. Skydance’s Blair Bigelow and Mark Mikutowicz are developing the series.

The post Octavia Spencer and ‘Ted Lasso’ Star Hannah Waddingham to Co-Star in New Prime Video Action Series first appeared on The Source.

The post Octavia Spencer and ‘Ted Lasso’ Star Hannah Waddingham to Co-Star in New Prime Video Action Series appeared first on The Source.

The Full Video Of ‘Ted Lasso’s Jason Sudeikis And Hannah Waddingham Singing Lady Gaga’s ‘Shallow’ Is Now Available

Jason Sudeikis and Hannah Waddingham staged an epic Ted Lasso reunion on Sunday night as the former co-stars launched into a surprise performance of “Shallow” from the 2018 Lady Gaga film, A Star Is Born.

The Ted Lasso stars were on hand for Steps of Faith’s seventh annual variety show “Thundergong!” that raises funds for “amputees in need of prosthetic limbs and financial aid,” according to Decider. However, the “Shallow” performance originally started as a duet between Sudeikis and his old plan and former Saturday Night Live castmate Will Forte.

“There is nobody I’d rather sing this song with,” Sudeikis said as he launched into Bradley Cooper’s part of the song. But when Forte got ready to belt out Lady Gaga’s verse, Waddingham’s vocals beat him to the punch as she come out and muscled Forte off of the stage. Rolling with the punches, Sudeikis joined his Ted Lasso co-star for the rest of the duet.

The two sang so hard that Waddingham was hoarse while appearing on The View the next morning.

“As you can hear, it was quite a lot of fun,” Waddingham told the panel while sharing a clip of the musical Ted Lasso reunion. “I decided I was a rock star for the night, hence sounding quite like a drag queen today.”

(Via Decider)

Jason Sudeikis Net Worth 2023: What Is The Actor Worth

Fairfax, Virginia, in the embrace of the early 1970s, saw the birth of a comedic powerhouse, the one and only, Daniel Jason Sudeikis. It’s quite an interesting thought that this lively, ebullient suburb of Washington D.C. would offer the world such a talent. A spark of humor and wit was evident in young Jason from an early age, hinting at the future trajectory his life would take. Sudeikis’ initiation into the world of comedy started in earnest when he began performing improv. But like many stars, he didn’t skyrocket to fame overnight. It took a fair share of ups, downs, and in-betweens for Jason to pave his way to stardom and accumulate a net worth reported to be around $25 million by Wealthy Gorilla in 2023.

Career Highlights & Accolades

jason sudeikis
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 19: Jason Sudeikis, winner of Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for ‘Ted Lasso’, poses in the press room during the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards at L.A. LIVE on September 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images)

When we reminisce about the golden moments in Saturday Night Live, Sudeikis invariably comes to mind. His time on SNL wasn’t just a stint; it was a comedic masterclass. Characters like the Running Man and his portrayal of then-Vice President Joe Biden cemented his status as an SNL legend. But sketch comedy was just one of the arenas where Jason shined. His leap to the silver screen brought gems like Horrible Bosses, We’re the Millers, and the delightful Ted Lasso. It’s the latter where Jason truly showcased the breadth of his talent, blending comedy with raw emotion in a portrayal that garnered both fan love and critical acclaim.

Personal Life & Highlights

jason sudeikis
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 22: Jason Sudeikis, Otis Sudeikis and Olivia Wilde attend Golden State Warriors Vs. Brooklyn Nets game at Barclays Center on December 22, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by James Devaney/GC Images)

While his on-screen endeavors frequently capture the limelight, Jason’s life is equally rich and layered. Navigating the complexities of relationships in the public eye, particularly with his equally talented partner Olivia Wilde, has been a part of his journey. As a father, Jason immerses himself in the joys of parenthood, often sharing candid moments that reveal the man behind the laughter – sincere, loving, and deeply committed to his family.

Business Ventures & Philanthropy

jason sudeikis
US actor Jason Sudeikis joins members of the Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild as they walk a picket line on Day 1 outside NBC Universal in New York City on July 14, 2023. Tens of thousands of Hollywood actors went on strike at midnight July 13, 2023, effectively bringing the giant movie and television business to a halt as they join writers in the first industry-wide walkout for 63 years. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP) (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)

The business world has also beckoned Sudeikis, though he approaches it with the same grounded perspective as he does everything else in his life. From endorsing brands that align with his ethos to collaborating on creative projects, his forays into the entrepreneurial landscape have been marked by authenticity. And when it comes to giving back, Jason wears his heart on his sleeve. Whether supporting children’s charities or raising awareness about pressing societal issues, his philanthropic initiatives highlight a man deeply connected to the world around him and keen on making a difference.

The post Jason Sudeikis Net Worth 2023: What Is The Actor Worth appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Hollywood In Attendance As Wrexham Gets “Ted Lasso” Moment

Wrexham Football Club is a soccer team in the fifth tier of English soccer. They’ve been there since 2008, when they were relegated from League Two, the fourth tier of English soccer and its lowest professional tier. Over the last 14 seasons, their best finish was 2nd in 2012. However, you best know Wrexham because Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought the club in 2020. They turned the small club on the England-Wales border into an international sensation

In a lot of ways, Wrexham is very similar to AFC Richmond, the fictional club at the heart of Apple TV’s Ted Lasso. Both were struggling clubs that find a new lease on life after the intervention of a pragmatic American. Last season, Wrexham again finished second but lost in the promotion play-offs in a heartbreaking 5-4 game against Grimsby. Ahead of this season, Wrexham brought in a wave of new signings, including former Premier League goalkeeper Ben Foster.

Wrexham Finally Secure Promotion

On April 22, 2008, a 2-0 defeat to Hereford officially relegated Wrexham from the Football League. 15 years later to the day, the atmosphere couldn’t have been more different. Amongst the near-capacity crowd, Reynolds, McElhenney sat alongside Ant-Man star Paul Rudd. The trio watched Wrexham take to their home pitch for the final time this season to take on play-off hopefuls Boreham Wood. Earlier in the season, the two sides had played out a 1-1 draw

At the end of Ted Lasso‘s first season, we watch Richmond relegated in heart-breaking fashion. The show’s second season ends with them jubilantly promoted. It’s a fitting analogy for Wrexham in 2008 and 2023. Hollywood was there to witness a dominant 3-1 performance by the home side as Wrexham took the win and were officially crowned National League champions. However, that came after a heart-stopping moment as Boreham Wood slotted home a goal in the first minute of the game. As the crowd cheered, Reynolds embraced keeper Ben Foster. “Never in doubt!” Reynolds can barely be heard saying over the blaring music and roar of the crowd. Wrexham and their Hollywood owners believed, and now they are ready to make the Football League take note.

[via]

People Lost Their Minds After Dolly Parton Responded To A Tweet From The ‘Ted Lasso’ Account

It’s been a bit of a bumpy season for Ted Lasso. The feel-good (but not that good) show about an upbeat (but anguished) soccer coach amassed a ton of Emmys, including star/co-creator Jason Sudeikis. But the new season, which is still rolling out, has been hotly contested, and there’s been talk of a backlash, then a backlash to the backlash, then a backlash to the backlash to backlash, etc. But there’s one person who seems very pro-Ted Lasso: Dolly Parton.

It all started when a fan, dealing with the headache that is air travel, tried to overcome his frustrations by asking, “what would @TedLasso do?” The show’s Twitter account — which sometimes trades in motivational sloganeering — responded by asking a similar question of a real-life public figure.

“That’s funny, when it comes to small talk I often ask myself what would Dolly Parton do?” the account posted. “Start with the 9 to 5 and end with God Only Knows.”

The post didn’t tag the legendary country singer-songwriter and actress. But she found it anyway and responded.

You’re too sweet, @TedLasso!” Parton wrote, adding, “I heard you left some @AFCRichmond tickets at will call under my name?” (That’s a reference to the team Lasso coaches.)

Twitter can be a hellscape of fury and paranoia, but sometimes you get a beloved musician trading jokes with a fictitious character. And people ate it up.

Some imagined Parton going on Ted Lasso.

Which she apparently watches.

And it came on the same day Parton gushed about Lil Nas X covering one of her most cherished songs, “Jolene.”

To sum up: Twitter — sometimes it’s good.